William and Mary

Hello!

I am back from my visit to Williamsburg, Virginia to take a look at The College of William and Mary. I really liked the campus, even though today it was extremely hot and humid. 

To help compare W&M to Davidson and Wake Forest, and other schools I will be visiting in the future, I will use the checklist of the things I want in a college, that I created when I wrote the wrap up post about Davidson. 

How does William and Mary stack up? Here is my checklist. 

1. Study abroad: William and Mary does offer the option of studying abroad. Like some other colleges, it allows you to travel through different programs and universities if they do not offer a program that you would like. However, not a huge number of students participate, only around 40%. 

2. Small classes: William and Mary is considered a small public/state funded school, even though in comparison with all the universities in the country it is medium sized. The class sizes reflect this, somewhat. 84% of classes have under 40 people. Many of the larger classes are freshman intro lecture-style classes, like psychology. These can have 200+ people! That large class would be very interesting, because at my high school, I have never taken a class with more than twenty people. 

3. Traditions: William and Mary is the second oldest college in the nation (behind Harvard). Due to this, William and Mary sits on a historic campus with many historic traditions. They actually have the oldest operating school building in the nation, the Wren Building. It is stunning! For me personally, William and Mary itself is a tradition for my family. Practically everyone in my family (18++ living family members) have  attended the college, so I know that I would have tons of family support if I were to be accepted into W&M. Here are some photos of the Wren building!

4. Honor code: Yes! My tour guide did not really cover this very well (or cover anything well, for that matter). However, she did make it clear that the college does have an honor code, and you can definitely leave things around on campus without having them stolen or tampered with. She said that the only thing she wouldn't do is leave cash sitting out for a while, which is understandable. I follow that principle at my school (which has a strict honor code) as well. 

5. Liberal Arts education: Yes! You have to take courses in 6 different subjects, such as math, religion, ect. You do not declare your major until sophomore/junior year. 

6. College town (with trees!): The town right off the W&M campus is a semi college town , semi Colonial Williamsburg, but then you get into more of a commercial city out of that. You have outlets, Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, and tons of other run of the mill stores. The college/colonial town has a ton of cute shops including an old time candy store, peanut shop, Williams-Sonoma, Barnes & Noble university bookstore, a Lilly Pulitzer, a Talbots, a toy shop, and many more! And so many lush and beautiful trees, do not even get me started! Also for that inner-Carribean-lover in all of us, they have a palm tree on campus. 

7. Greek life: Yes! About 30% of William and Mary students go Greek. I am a legacy at William and Mary's tridelta, which has a beautiful house in sorority court. I love that W&M does have sorority houses all together and all school operated. They did not have this at Wake Forest nor at Davidson. Here are some pictures of the tridelt house and sorority court!

Here are some more pictures of the beautiful campus!

An interesting tidbit I learned about William and Mary in the information session is that 1/3 of the applicants are instate, but because they are a public university 2/3 of the student body must be from Virginia, so the chances of getting into the school are a lot greater if you are from Virginia. 

Another thing I really liked about William and Mary was the fact that they have a division one football team! Go griffins!

All in all, I really liked William and Mary. I would say that my favourite colleges that I have visited as of right now would be in this order:

1. Davidson 

2. William and Mary

3. Wake Forest

Hopefully I will be able to visit some other colleges on my varied list:

- Washington and Lee University 

- Sewanee: The University of the South

- University of Virginia

- Vanderbilt University

- College of Charleston

- Georgetown University

- Southern Methodist University

- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

- University of Georgia

- Boston College

- University of Richmond 

I know that some of these schools do not necessarily have everything on my list, but I have heard great things abut all of them, and I would love to experience something outside my comfort zone, at least in the context of a tour. If you all have any suggestions, please let me know!

Catch y'all later!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Back from Duck!

Hello Everyone!

I just got home from Duck a few hours ago. I am totally exhausted! Some notable things to mention were how I went parasailing again, and how I drove a wave runner/jet ski for the first time. Firstly, parasailing is amazing and anyone who is not deathly afraid of heights should definitely try it. It really is not that dangerous at all, and it gives you the best views you could ever imagine. Jet skiing is sooo much better when you are actually driving the vehicle! You feel such a rush and so free, but that probably sounds really strange. I will share any photos I will get from the trip as soon as I get them! I am beyond thankful to my friend kHr for inviting me two years in a row. We've made so many amazing memories.

Secondly, clothing update! I am so excited to finally have purchased the seersucker bandeau bikini from J. Crew. I love seersucker, and having a seersucker bikini will be such a great investment. 

I think it will be great for my yearly summer trip to Nantucket, my favorite place on Earth! It is one of the only places where I can really unwind and enjoy myself. My family loves the island like one would love their childhood home. ACK for life!

 Last summer, I was obsessed with Lennon and Maisy's cover of the Robyn song "Call Your Girlfriend". I just was messing around on YouTube, and found this cover of the same song by Dutch singer, Christopher. His voice blew me away, and he is so cute! His version is very relaxing and simple.

Monday I will be visiting William and Mary. So excited! Can't wait to judge my family's favorite college for myself. 

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Thursday Pinterest Day 3: Royals

'Ello Everyone!

I am officially off to Duck, NC! I know it will be a great time to relax and get some sun. Last year when I went, my favorite things were sailing, parasailing, the beach, shopping at the little surf boutiques, and eating at all the cute restaurants.

Today, I will take a moment to appreciate the British royal family. They are my obsession, I can't wait for Will and Kate's baby!

See all y'all soon. I'll post about my time at Duck!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Cobbler Tuesday

Hey everyone!

Today I have finally finished my seventh and last day of behind-the-wheel. I will be on the roads, licensed in under 20 days! Its crazy for me to even think about that, I remember when I was younger feeling like driving was so far away.

In celebration of this (but not really), today I am making my favorite Mixed Berry Cobbler. The recipe is from an old issue of "Bon Appétit", which you can find it online here. My cobbler never ends up quite as pretty as the magazine's, but it honestly tastes amazing. I use all of the kinds of berries my local grocery store has to offer: blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. The biscuit topping never is as dough-like as they make it seem, but it will harden up when you cook it! I love to eat my cobbler with a huge scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream. I end up eating practically the whole thing by myself over the course of about two weeks! I put it in the microwave to get it warm, then add the ice cream and grab a spoon and I am all ready to go!

Final Product

On another note, so excited that Pretty Little Liars is back on tonight! The show seriously creeps me out. I am on edge the entire time I watch it. I am the same way with my other favorite non-reality show, Teen Wolf. The guys from Teen Wolf are drop dead gorgeous!

And talking about drop dead hot, muscular men, my favorite reality show, The Bachelorette! I really liked the current bachelorette, Desiree, during the beginning of Sean's season, but by the end I was not sad to see her go. During the Bachelorette, however, she has really grown on me! My favorite guys are Chris, Brooks, and Juan Pablo (I love foreign guys! Swoon...). Last season for the Bachelor, I found out who would win Sean's heart through Reality Steve. Just Google his name to find his blog, where he will "predict" who will be the final men, and who will become engaged to Desiree. His predictions are always right, so if you like to know what will happen, head over there. This season I am going to just watch and see.

This Thursday I am heading to Duck, NC for a quick "vay-cay"with one of my best friends. On Monday I am heading to Williamsburg, VA for a tour of the College of William and Mary. 18++ people in my family have gone there, and right now it is at the top of my list, along with Davidson, Washington and Lee, and Wake Forest. There will be more coming on that front, soon.

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Thursday Pinterest Day 2

Hey!

Return of the Thursday Pinterest day! Today I will just post a few of my favorite pictures. These all really make me quite happy. I hope everyone's summer is going well! I am babysitting a lot and doing behind-the-wheel.

I love the layering of the dipped hem!

The strawberry filling looks so fresh!

Greece is my dream vacation.

I love having statement nails! Plus, gold & pink look amazing together.

Her hair color is perfect. I want to learn how to do the braids!

I hope everyone's summer is amazing, and stay tuned for more pictures off pinterest next week.

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Update

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone's summers are going well. I have been really busy, in the weird kind of way where you should have a lot of time, but little things keep making you busy. Does that make any sense at all?

First off... has anyone heard of Bluebell Ice Cream? It is amazing. AH-mazing.

It was recently introduced to the market in my area, and was originally only available in Texas. Literally every person I talk to has brought it up in our conversation, it's just that good. The best flavors are Homemade Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies-And-Cream, Strawberries & Homemade-Vanilla (My new favorite! It is what it sounds like, their homemade-vanilla ice cream with strawberries mixed in), and Key Lime Pie. You can buy them half gallon size, which you can barely find anywhere anymore. If you see it in the grocery store, I highly encourage you pick up some, even if you are a die hard Breyers (PET, Edy's, Ben & Jerry's, ect.) fan. You will not regret it!

Secondly, I have just pre-ordered my first Lilly Pulitzer Agenda. A few girls from my school have had them (which I have lusted over), and they gave them great reviews. I use the planner my school gives me religiously, but it is too poorly made and too small.

My favorite Lilly print from this summer (and probably of all time) is "Let's Cha Cha". Lilly does make Agendas in that print, but not in the Jumbo size I needed. So, I compromised by getting another great pint, "Tropical Pink Lulu". I can't wait for it to arrive next month.

I am also looking for a new North Face backpack. I currently own the Vault, but it has a huge rip on the top, so I am thinking about upgrading to the Womens' Jester in black. I like how it has side pockets for water bottles, which the Vault does not have.

I am also in the process of refreshing my wardrobe and cleaning my room. Quite a hard task if you ask me! I have a love hate relationship with cleaning. Today I was in the mood, but who knows what tomorrow will bring!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Summer Essentials/Wishlist

Hey everyone! 

Here are some pieces that I have picked up for this summer, or want to get. Enjoy!

SUNGLASSES 

1. Costa Shades from Anthropologie $38

My current favourite shades. Trendy but sturdy. I lost them for a month and was so glad to finally find these again in a random purse yesterday!

SHORTS

2. J Crew 4" chino short $35

Obsessed with these shorts. Perfect length for just about any occasion. I have them in the red colour and the mint-y colour. Very transitional item. 

NAIL POLISH

3. OPI nail polish (prices around $9)

I wear a reddish shade of OPI so often. Their polishes have a really nice thickness, and you will never ever ever need more than two coats. For summer, I like red, coral, and icy mint colours!

BIKINI 

4. J Crew Twist Bandeau Top $48

This item is on my wish list! I got a bandeau from J Crew last year and it's great. Hope to add this into my closet. 

TEE

5. J Crew Engineered Stripe Tee $45

I love this top so much! I wore it on my tour to Davidson, and wear it on the beach constantly. A great buy! It can easily be worn in the fall and spring as well as the summer. 

FLIP FLOPS

6. Rainbow Thick Strap Flip Flops $45

Not too fancy, not too casual, these are perfect for a normal summer day, where you might be running errands, shopping, or heading to the pool. 

BAG

7. Longchamp Le Pliage Medium Shoulder Tote $125

The perfect purse. It folds into itself for easy storage. Many different colours to chose from!

Leave me a message about your summer essentials!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey

Davidson

Hello!

I am currently in the car on the way home from Davidson College. 

I am absolutely obsessed with Davidson. The architecture, the honour code, the eating houses, the D1 athletics, the town, EVERYTHING. 

Our tour guide was amazing. She knew exactly what to say to get me to fall head over heels. There are not that many cafeterias and eating places on campus but that is literally the only con for me. It is a really challenging school to get into, and that really scares me! I want I go here so bad!

Wake Forest has a law school, graduate school, and a school of medicine. Davidson is only undergrad. That's not necessarily a pro or con for either. It's interesting to see the difference though!

Touring Davison and Wake Forest these past few days have really opened my eyes to what I want in college. 

I like how a few people from my school have gone/do go to these colleges, but at neither school are there more than 5 people from my high schools. In contrast, some public state schools have as many as 30 people for each grade. That's over 100 people from my high school at that college! That's crazy. It's a good school, but it really turns me away from it. I want to meet people who don't know a ton of people where I am from. I want to be my own person!

1. Study abroad. I want to go on a semester abroad in college. At Wake, 75% of students go abroad. At Davidson, 80% of students go abroad. This means that many of my friends would go overseas as well, and that kind of thing is really encouraged and does not seem at all strange if you do so. 

2. Small classes. At my current school, I have never been in a class with over 23 people. At Wake, the average class size is 20 and at Davidson is 15. This is really ideal for me. I want to have everyone in my class recognise me and get to know me. I want my professors to know my name, and know me as a person, as well as a student. 

3. Traditions. At Wake Forest, after big sports team wins, they "roll" the lawn, covering the trees with rolls of toilet paper. At Davison, they have a "cake race" for first year students during Freshman Orientation. It's a race, and in the end every person gets a cake baked my a Davidson. The young alum leading the information session talked to us about how he got really close to the family that baked him his cake. This made me so happy!

4. Honour code. I really like how proud Davidson is in their honour system. It reminds me of my high school. At both places, teachers/professors trust their students not to lie or cheat, and you can leave your stuff anywhere and rely on your peers not to take it, or disturb it. 

5. Liberal Arts Education. I want to be a well rounded student. I do not want to declare my major early on, as you do at many large state schools. I want time to learn what I like. At Davidson there is a required PE credit. Some options you can do for this are tinker ball (I hope I am saying that right) which you play with people on your hall, wake boarding or water skiing at their lake campus (which is a five minute drive from their main campus), among many other options. 

6. College Town (with Trees)! I need some nature in my life. I do not want to go to college somewhere like NYU or VCU, which are really urban. I want more of a small college town feeling. Here are some pictures of all the trees at Davidson  (yesterday I shared photos of all the forestry at Wake!)

7. Greek life. I am really interested in becoming involved with Greek organisations. Wake has Sororities, but they do not have sorority houses. A side note, but I also really like Washington and Lee, which has amazing sorority houses and a really high percentage of participation in Greek organisations. Davidson does not have the traditional sororities (they do have two historically African American sororities), but they have something that I actually might like even more! 60% of the girls at Davidson join one of the four "Eating Houses". You do not live at eating houses, you can join with up to three of your friends, and are guaranteed  to be in an eating house with them. Anyone who wants to be in an eating house will be in an eating house. Although at most colleges, most girls do get into a sorority if they want to be in one, very rarely is there a guarantee like there is for eating houses at Davidson. 

Some other things that made me fall in love with Davidson:

- Laundry service. You will be given a laundry bag with a number. Put that number on all of the tags of your clothes. When your clothes are dirty, drop them off at the laundry centre, and within 48 hours your clothes will be clean and folded! This is awesome. My mom has explained to me that doing laundry was one of the most annoying things for her in college. This seems really easy and convenient. 

- Division One Sports. This means that they have competitive football and basketball team that I will want to cheer for. Yay!!

-Self Scheduled Exams. You have an eight day period to take your exams. You am choose any of the 16 time periods over those 8 days to take the exams. So nice!

So in love with Davidson. There's a chance I would even apply early decision. Yesterday I said that I could see myself at Wake Forest, which is true. However, Davidson is my 1st choice DREAM SCHOOL. So scared to apply next year!

XOXOXO, 

Kelsey

Wake Forest

Hey everyone!

I am now in the car driving from Winston-Salem, NC to Davidson, NC. Here I will outline our trip!

We ate lunch at Village Tavern, which was recommended to me by Hannah H., who runs the blog, "the Pink and Green Prep" (which is my OBSESSION). It was really good! I recommend trying their apple cobbler.

I devoured this cobbler. Seriously. 

Then my mom and I drove around in Wake Forest's campus. Even though it was really rainy the entire time, the campus was really pretty. It was a basically brick campus, which ended up really growing on me. 

Here is an example of a beautiful forest-lined street on campus. 

I love how lush the campus was. The fact that is was a gated campus and how you can't enter the school after 10 unless you have a WFU ID card was really cool. It seems like a really safe campus. 

There were a lot of restaurants and by the time I would get there, there will be three cafeterias (they have two right now and are building one now). That's really good for a vegetarian like me, because it means that there will be a lot of options food-wise. 

Wake = bricks!

My favourite building is Wait Chapel. So pretty!

The tour guide and the information session leader were very... Interesting people. However, their love for the college was evident.

A big plus for Wake is the fact that they have a wide option for majors, you do not declare your major until second semester sophomore year, and they have Greek societies. Also, I am a tridelt legacy and they have a chapter at Wake. 

The city of Winston-Salem isn't that fantastic, it looks really industrial. However, I don't think I would hang out too many places outside of the campus and off campus student owned houses anyways. 

I would can definitely see myself at Wake Forest. 

Can't wait to see Davidson!

XOXOXO,

Kelsey